TrueTomHarley

Say, isn't that the woman bringing the violin to Sergey, who can play it with relish now that he has given attention to the more important things and who's glad he did not allow slavish conservatory devotion to it to distract him from the real life?

On 8/16/2017 at 8:50 PM, The Librarian said:

Hi there, My name is RJ and for two days I have been nonstop searching for clarification on counting time with unbaptized children. The organized to do Jehovah's will briefly talks about it. It states that a family head can count the time, study, and return visits for family worship. I understand that part. 4 hours per month, 4 return visits per month, and one study.

The reason you have to look hard is that it is not very important and nobody harps on it. Throw in a few hours for the kids and be done with it.

Was it not the role of the ancient Jewish librarian to track days, months, years, and to punish noncompliance with detention? @The Librarian

12 minutes ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

If I was a weapons dealer, and had made a fortune selling arms and armament all over the world, and I contributed twenty million dollars to the WTB&TS ... do you think they would righteously return it?

Is not ALL money the unrighteous riches the Bible speaks of? Why don't you return yours?

On 8/13/2017 at 4:48 PM, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

I strongly suspect that with $10 MILLION DOLLARS, I would not have to worry about my medical costs, or the cost of dog food for my seven dogs. .... or listening to engine sounds, and every time I hear scraping metal or a "clunk", wondering if I am going to be stranded with no way to get home.

There is no shame in being poor ... but I would NOT be inclined to brag about it.

"Dear God, you made many, many poor people.
I realize, of course, that it's no shame to be poor.
But it's no great honor either!
So, what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune?"

I'd build a big tall house with rooms by the dozen,
Right in the middle of the town.
A fine tin roof with real wooden floors below.
There would be one long staircase just going up,
And one even longer coming down,
And one more leading nowhere, just for show.

I'd fill my yard with chicks and turkeys and geese and ducks
For the town to see and hear.
And each loud "cheep" and "swaqwk" and "honk" and "quack"
Would land like a trumpet on the ear,
As if to say "Here lives a wealthy man."

I see my wife, my Golde, looking like a rich man's wife
With a proper double-chin.
Supervising meals to her heart's delight.
I see her putting on airs and strutting like a peacock.
Oy, what a happy mood she's in.
Screaming at the servants, day and night.

The most important men in town would come to fawn on me!
They would ask me to advise them,
Like a Solomon the Wise.
"If you please, Reb Tevye..."
"Pardon me, Reb Tevye..."
Posing problems that would cross a rabbi's eyes!
And it won't make one bit of difference if i answer right or wrong.
When you're rich, they think you really know!

If I were rich, I'd have the time that I lack
To sit in the synagogue and pray.
And maybe have a seat by the Eastern wall.
And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day.
That would be the sweetest thing of all.

15 hours ago, Arauna said:

Today the buildup of hate and spiritism in all spheres of the earth is tremendous.  Far-left to far-right fascist groups;  black and white racism in Africa and America; tribal divisions; Shia and Sunni divisions; leftist and alt right governments (calling peace when there is no peace- controlling media and free speech); and hateful religions (look what the Talmud and Qur'an teach - you are in for a shock!).  Unfortunately it is not just Islam who wants to rule the entire earth by fighting with literal weapons and killing all in their path  - it is also subtle secret organizations which are also religiously and ideologically inspired; and political involvement by most religions on earth - some are riding the beast....even controlling the UN; and millions of people who are 'awakened' or "illuminated" today - having a façade of spirituality which is controlled by secret agendas...... Spiritism is rife and escalating in many countries with druids, witches, spells, magic and 'muti '(medicines made from children or animals).  

I've never liked to use 2 Timothy 3:1-5 in the ministry. If the one you're speaking with disagrees that those verses apply more now than at any time in the past, there's not much you can do about it. It's subjective.

Until recently. As far as I'm concerned, the turmoil following the 2016 election in the U.S. is a godsend for illustrating how those verses apply. The left and the right scream at each other nightly, and media is interested in little else. The meaning of 'fierce,' 'not open to any agreement,' 'headstrong' has never been so starkly displayed as it is now.

After a recent blow-up at a news conference with the POTUS, CBS devoted 100% of their Evening News on coverage of who was the most extreme - the alt right or alt left. Had Putin himself delivered nukes to the White House, one under each arm, he would not have received greater coverage. 

15 hours ago, Arauna said:

There is a time for everything - and now is the time to obey - and preach. Buy out the opportune time! 

Absolutely. It is all tanking as Scripture says it will. Don't get sucked in. Don't get diverted from what really is enduring and good.

Current screaming between groups and counter-groups also brings into relief the purpose of Matthew 24:14. The good news is preached "as a witness."

The occasional person may be snatched from the fire, but, as people lose all ability to reason, "as a witness" is increasingly the best you can hope for. Few seem able to think. They stake out a position based upon self-interest or emotion, and then go search for some 'experts' to back them up.

1 hour ago, JW Insider said:

*** jv chap. 6 p. 65 A Time of Testing (1914-1918) ***
Others, on account of their deep respect for Brother Russell, seemed more concerned with trying to copy his qualities and develop a sort of cult around him.

In every way possible, especially dress and grooming, I seek to emulate @The Librarian

On 8/15/2017 at 0:51 PM, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

Dave Thomas founded "WENDY'S" hamburgers restaurant ... and he never graduated from HIGH SCHOOL.

Several years before he died, he got an equivalent G.E.D.

I refuse to buy a computer. I type out my comments and mail them to @The Librarianfor inclusion here. (the old hen)

Neither Steve Jobs nor Bill Gates ever graduated from college. They obviously were not qualified to do whatever they  went on to do.

She has put on a few pounds since then

Look, this may have been a mistake.

Will you take $1000. for her, @admin?

She's eating me out of house and home. She cleaned out my liquor cabinet. She ran up a $400 dental bill. And she's coming down with Stockholm syndrome, batting her eyes at me constantly.

Yeccttthhh!

9 hours ago, JW Insider said:

I would not want you at my side in field service...Your last post shows me that you are a preterist.

The upside is that his Adam to Armageddon sermon is shorter.

4 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

Perhaps they want to sell their Kingdom Hall to build a

different one ... for any NUMBER of reasons.

Like what? Seriously, how can anyone bellow over this?

Or maybe - not only should Kingdom Halls be separate entities, but congregation members should have leather jackets with their names emblazoned thereon.

3 hours ago, J.R. Ewing said:

The front webpage suggests the following:

Welcome To Our Community   The most intelligent people on planet Earth hang out on this forum

Possibly they are overstating matters a bit

On 8/13/2017 at 9:48 AM, TiagoBelager said:

Revelation alerted early Christians that much more should have to be accomplished by Christians before they would get their reward of the crown of everlasting life.

Yes. 

And the apostle Peter declares that “the end of all things has drawn close.” (1 Peter 4:7) When the Jewish system of things effectively ends with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, that is not the end he had in mind. Nevertheless, he probably drops to his knees and thanks God that he was not among those at the Jerusalem Hyatt for celebrations just then. He doesn’t grouse about being misled by whomever that 70 CE was not the big one. It was big enough. When they tell him they were just tacking, he doesn't complain about it.

OH NO!!!

That old hag @The Librarian is getting Stockholm Syndrome!! When I entered to remove her breakfast tray of donuts, I saw she had written a post in her journal:

"How humiliating when those stuffy brothers counseled me - ME! - about my idea for a Watchtower centerfold. I would have made a splendid one - liven up that dull magazine!  I was not always what I am now. I did not always split bikini seams, and, donning my horn-rimmed librarian glasses - well....bookbags would have burst for all the subscription orders received.

"Decades and decades of toil with dullards with their noses stuck in a Bible at Bethel! Oh, the wasted humanity!  Only TrueTom valued me for my real worth, for my body. He has not forgotten. He knows there is still so much more to me than this loathsome small town librarian gig overseeing Duck Dynasty videos for country bumpkins. He is my RESCUER!!!!!!!

No lady, no!! Back off!! I am happily married to the drop dead gorgeous, traffic-stopping, Bible publication-devouring Mrs. Harley. Whatever you think we once had was long ago! I just want a little ransom money, that's all - and all the tightwads at the WorldMedia center want pioneer rates!

10 hours ago, JW Insider said:

Imagine if Fred Franz received 1,000,000 letters from concerned Jehovah's Witnesses about how determined he was to promote predictions for the mid-1970's. Imagine if David Splane received many millions of letters questioning the new meaning we are now giving to the word "generation."

It would put an interesting spin on the phrase "taught by Jehovah" and might even suggest to some we should go back to electing elders.

7 hours ago, SuziQ1513 said:

Now I'm looking at this fire alarm and wondering how on earth could a baby pull it.    Well it's as high as I light switch and is a simple pull down action, it's bright red.  If someone was holding the baby in just the right position, it would be natural for them to reach for it.   I'm sure when they built the building they didn't anticipate a baby pulling the alarm but they had the best intentions since the alarm did work.

Keep an eye on that baby. I foresee great things for it. 

When it grows up, it will comment here and its brilliance will silence all lips.

3 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

Make some WANTED posters offering a $1000 reward for a

copy of your book ... this will make people WANT your book.

Staple the posters to telephone poles around Rochester ..

Did that long ago. Sold three, and I have a clean-up bill from the phone company.

CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA

This is Brian Brexit at tomsheepandgoats.com. I am at the secret hideout of TrueTom. Things are breaking fast as police have arrived with a hostage negotiator!

THIS IS THE POLICE OVERHEAD IN OUR NEW HELIOCOPTER! WE HAVE HOSTAGE NEGOTIATOR PAUL PALAVER WITH US!    GIVE YOURSELF UP!!    TAKE IT, PAUL.

THANKS, OFFICER O'MALY.    TRUE TOM! THROW DOWN YOUR WEAPON!! LET THE INNOCENT @The LibrarianGO!  WHAT HAS SHE EVER DONE TO YOU?

CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA 

SHE'S A LYING AND PERNICIOUS WENCH!! SHE'S A CORRUPTING INFLUENCE ON PEOPLE OF THE LORD!! SHE TRIED TO PUT HER BIKINI SELF IN A WATCHTOWER CENTERFOLD!! SHE KITES CHECKS AND COOKS METH!!!

CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA

WELL....BESIDES THAT.

CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA 

SHE REFUSES TO LET ME PROMOTE MY BOOK IN HER LIBRARY!!

TRUETOM, DON'T GO DOWN THE ROAD OF CRIME FOR A BOOK!!  NO BOOK IS WORTH THAT!!    WHAT BOOK IS IT, ANYWAY?

CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA 

'TOM IRREGARDLESS AND ME!'

CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA 

YOU'RE KIDDING ME!    I LOVED THAT BOOK!!    HILARIOUS, YET PERCEPTIVE!    WHAT KIND OF AN EVIL WOMAN WOULD INTERFERE WITH DISTRIBUTION OF A GENIUS WORK LIKE THAT?!!    OFFICER O'MALY, ISN'T THERE A JAYWALKER SOMEWHERE WE CAN BRING TO JUSTICE?!!

CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA

CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA

CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA CHOPPA .. ping!

I'll take the red so I can go back and deprive myself of experiences I have learned from.

Then I'll take the blue pill so I will no longer will able to tell who likes me for me.

On second thought, toss them both. A vitamin C will suffice.

13 hours ago, AllenSmith said:

that theory pales with this simple “FACT” that after 1914AD, man developed the ability to “destroy” the inhabited earth, that they didn’t have before.

I well remember in the 70's discussing the verse about God bringing to ruin those ruining the earth. Back then, the only type of ruin one could envision to encompass the whole earth was by nuclear war. Now there are many to add to the list, including totally unforeseen ones. Not to mention that the first, threat of nuclear war, is staging a comeback.

52 minutes ago, admin said:

I hadn't heard about the ETF shares before though. How would I research that further?

BillCara,com used to write about it some. Bill is an astute stock manager once based in Toronto with a long professional track record. He once hosted a blog, perhaps still does, which was much like this one, only financial. Brilliant qualified high-powered persons would jockey with complete novices posting comments. Here and there he used to dive into social commentary and he was ever distrustful of Big Money and how the worldwide markets had become corrupted.

I distrust ETFs and prefer individual stocks whenever I have held some. In recent years I have come to think mega corporations drive world events for the worse even more than governments, and put less $ into stocks on that account. "Fortunately" I never have/had that much to worry about.

11 hours ago, Arauna said:

because the ULTIMATE proof after all is in the signs on the ground - in 1914.  NO ONE CAN SPAR ABOUT A BETTER DATE THAN 1914 ON THE GROUND!  So what is the use of 'sparring' about any other SECULAR dates for the fall of Babylon when it brings you to a date in our time when NOTHING significant happened on the ground after 1914, until WW2 - and WW2 was a continuation of what happened in WW1.

Absolutely. Revisionists try to redefine WWI as just "one of those things." The eventual next step will be to redefine the last days. ISIS attacks, North Korea, sexbots programmed to 'rape,' gender-hopping, addictive drug pandemics, and universal FAKE NEWS will all be just "another one of those things."

You buy the sector, not just the lead stock of the sector. Anybody here in Rochester who has their Kodak shares proudly framed and hanging on the wall knows that.

The forecasts work until they don't. Some macro-change will take place and then the forecasts will alter, giving the impression they knew it all along.

Though it is conventional wisdom, periodically I hear accusations of fraud regarding ETFs. That is, they have pressured the market to sell more shares than actually exist, much as through the fractional reserve requirement, banks lend out more money than actually exists, and that there will one day be dire consequences on that account.

1 hour ago, J.R. Ewing said:

It's intentionally misleading to post these dates in such a way, but if you want to simplify matters, try this:

The 1918 date is the nail you missed with a hammer. In frustration, you bang all around it repeatedly, and miss again each time. They were all 100 years ago, give or take. Who cares? Plenty of time since then to shape up.

Manifestly, we are improving. There has been only one since: 1975 - a date that never was presented as an absolute, only as a likely.

I wasn't especially put out when it came and went. JTR was. However, the 'coerced' quitting of his fancy pants job on account of a date probably did him a favor. If he carried on there with co-workers as he does here with forum participants, they would have sent him packing long ago and he would forever have to explain a black mark on his resume. 

Everyone gets one failed end-of-the-world date per lifetime. It's allowed. He should get over it. At one time, we were in excess of 'one per lifetime' rule, but now we are commendably within tolerance.

 

At the Divine Victory District Convention in 1973 Toronto, the rumor spread like lightening that Glen Campbell had been baptized a Witness. The truth turned out to be just the opposite. His lead guitarist had been just baptized, and he drove Glen so nuts with his constant preaching that the latter forbade all discussion of religion in the studio.